The family of Miguel García-Hernández is mourning his tragic death following a shooting incident at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas. García-Hernández had made the Dallas metropolitan area home for almost 20 years. Tragically, he died from his injuries on September 29, just days after being shot while in their custody.
Born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, García-Hernández came to the U.S. without documentation at age 14. He forged a new life for himself in Texas, eventually making a living as an artist and remodeling houses. His spouse, Stephany Gauffeny, U.S. Together, they welcomed three children into their blended family, including their newborn son, Miles Alexander García.
García-Hernández ended up in ICE custody on September 24 after a short stay in local jail for a DUI conviction. His family members say that all he was waiting for was a waiver. This waiver would allow him to obtain a green card based on his marriage to Gauffeny. The pair had been working through the Biden administration’s program, Keeping Families Together, to obtain legal status for García-Hernández.
According to accounts, García-Hernández was shot while handcuffed in ICE’s van outside of the Dallas field office. His death has raised profound questions about the care and treatment of people in immigration detention. Denver’s lawsuit has called into question the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
Four years into her grief, Gauffeny has had to answer painful questions like these from her now adolescent children.
“He and I never hid the fact he entered illegally, you know, but what I keep saying is that he didn’t deserve that and we’re going to fight this.” – Stephany Gauffeny
Gauffeny recalled the moment she learned of her husband’s hospitalization after returning from a doctor’s appointment for her pregnancy.
“I am trying to cope because that’s what I am supposed to do, but what hurts me the most is to hear my kids ask where daddy is.” – Stephany Gauffeny
The Garcia family’s navigation of García-Hernández’ belongings, including the Bible and other items that were mailed to them after his death. They wanted to read the book from front to back. Sadly, he was never able to complete it during his lifetime.
“I was coming back from a doctor’s appointment for my pregnancy and I was so excited to tell him about our son, but I got a call saying that my husband was in the hospital.” – Stephany Gauffeny
The family’s grief has been made all the worse by the deportation of García-Hernández’s mother, Maria García, earlier this year. manifestation of the cruel effects of her immigration status when she was barred from seeing her son throughout his hospitalization.
“It was on a page in Genesis. He wanted to read the Bible from the start to the end but couldn’t continue because he was killed.” – Stephany Gauffeny
Friends and community members joined the procession to honor her legacy. When activist group the Brown Berets of North Texas paid tribute to García-Hernández’s heritage and made the ultimate sacrifice, they honored his roots by placing a Mexican flag at his grave.
Gauffeny brought to life the painful experiences of their kids waiting for their Dad when he was in detention.
In a heartwarming response, the community came together to raise Gauffeny’s $3 million bail. The future remains bleak for Gauffeny without her husband’s presence and support.
“My eight-year-old daughter with autism waited for him until the last minute. They would talk over the phone while he was detained, but one day before the funeral, I had to tell her that daddy was in heaven and that he would be watching her and that she wouldn’t see him.” – Stephany Gauffeny
Alfredo García-Hernández’s tragic death reminds us that the immigration enforcement regime we live under continues to have deadly consequences. His family continues to fight for justice, as well as answers as to why he died in the first place. They are navigating their loss concurrently with a labyrinthine immigration system.
“It hurts to look around now, you know? Who is going to do it?” – Stephany Gauffeny
García-Hernández’s death highlights the ongoing issues surrounding immigration policies and law enforcement practices. As his family seeks justice and answers about the circumstances of his death, they are left grappling with their loss amidst an increasingly complex immigration system.